Syracuse (13-12, 7-7 ACC) and Georgia Tech (10-15, 3-11), despite their vastly different situations, can produce an offensive shootout on Monday when the Yellow Jackets travel to the dome.
Both teams derive a bulk of their offensive creation from their guards, namely Syracuse’s Buddy Boeheim (19.2 PPG, 53.2% true-shooting) and Georgia Tech’s Michael Devoe (18.6 PPG, 57.6% true-shooting).
Both scorers take unique approaches to punishing defenses. In the 315, Buddy Boeheim uses his 6’6” frame to overcome shortcomings creating separation at the point of attack by simply shooting over defenders. He’s also developed a knack for curling off pindowns and hoisting off the catch. But Boeheim’s clear weaknesses both creating rim penetration and generating contact leave him susceptible to fading from the game when his shot isn’t falling. Judging by his below-average efficiency (40.4% FG, 34.8% 3P, 53.2% TS), and the two-game stretch in December where he amassed just twelve total points against Florida State and Villanova, those days have been happening more and more often.
Buddy Boeheim led @Cuse_MBB with 21 points at Virginia Tech.
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) February 13, 2022
The Orange look to start a new winning streak on Saturday, Feb. 19 at home vs. Boston College. pic.twitter.com/b5h9PxomUK
On the flip-side, Michael Devoe, within his role as the primary creator for Georgia Tech, operates largely as a one-man, on-ball offensive weapon who likes to pick up speed and surge to the rim. I’m enamored with his talent scoring off the catch, particularly in give and go action and when cutting in transition. This play style grades out similarly to former ACC Guards like Malik Beasley and Coby White, who each have carved out steady NBA careers.
Now, Devoe has had to account for increased defensive attention. Being the lone on-ball wizard on a dreary Georgia Tech team exposes him to harsh defensive treatment.
“Offensively, I knew that coming into the season… teams were gonna load in on me and key in on me,” Devoe said in his press-conference Friday. “I would say my being in a different role this season as a leader and getting guys on board [has been] a whole new world this season.”
With both teams keen on stopping the other’s premier guard, attention will shift to the best of the rest of the backcourt.
For Syracuse, that starts with the Glen Falls-native, Joe Girard III, who has established himself as SU’s most reliable off-the-dribble shooter. At 13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game on 43.5% three-point shooting, Girard completes a lethal shooting backcourt, which, when hot, can compete with top-seeds in NCAA tournaments.
Conversely, Jordan Usher is a score-first and score-only slasher who will test the rigidity of Syracuse’s 2-3 zone. In his five collegiate seasons, Usher is shooting an admirable 53.4% on all two-pointers. This year, he’s shooting 52.7% on a career-best eight attempts per game.
With Jesse Edwards out of the picture for the Orange, Frank Anselem will be in the spotlight, serving as the last line of off-ball resistance against Georgia Tech’s slashing. Syracuse cannot afford to slip up with a near-.500 record and with the possibility of a tournament berth fading away, Georgia Tech has all the makings of a trap game.
SU and GT battle today at 7 p.m. with WAER's coverage starting at 6:30.